Doing Something “Mentally Active” While Sitting Helps Reduce Dementia Risk: Study

Doing Something “Mentally Active” While Sitting Helps Reduce Dementia Risk: Study

Not all sitting is created equal. That’s according to a recently published study from Sweden, which found that keeping your brain engaged while you sit can help reduce the dementia risk associated with sedentary behavior. Spoiler: Watching TV and scrolling social media don’t count.
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​In 1997, researchers surveyed over 20,000 Swedish adults about their weekly activity — separating “mentally active” time (like knitting, doing a puzzle, or sitting in a meeting) and “mentally passive” time (like watching TV or listening to music). They followed up 19 years later to assess each participant’s cognitive health risk and status and found that those who spent more time in mentally passive sitting had a higher risk of developing dementia.
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Using a statistical model, the researchers then calculated that adding even just one hour of mental activity a day lowered dementia risk by 4%, and swapping a passive habit for an active one reduced the risk by 7%. Combining physical activity with mental engagement was the most effective approach, reducing the risk by 11%.
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“Sedentary behavior is common, but fortunately, it can also be modified,” study co-author Mats Hallgren said in a statement. “Our study shows that not all sitting is the same — how we use our brains while sitting may be an important factor for future cognitive and mental health.”